In September 1981, Ye Jianying of the CPC laid down the famous nine-point proposal. The fifth point states that “The Taiwan authorities and representatives from all walks of life may serve as leadership positions in the national political institutions and participate in state administration.”

China and ASEAN agreed to a framework for the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea in May 2017. Hopefully, after this agreement, none of the claimants or concerned sea-powers would need to fire the first shot.

Dai Li served under Chiang Kai-shek as the spymaster of the Republic of China. Had Dai not died in a plane crash in March 1946, would he be able to assist Chiang to defeat the Communist Party of China in the Chinese civil war?

Cao Changqing is a commentator in Taiwan who often sides with the Democratic Progressive Party in criticizing China. Would he be willing to be the first martyr to die for the sake of creating the Republic of Taiwan? It is very, very doubtful.

We live in a world of contradictions. However, there is no doubt that the Chinese mind and heart prefer to emphasize harmony. Confucius speaks of the Middle Way. Facing a dilemma, a person would choose not to go to extremes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his visits to Central and Southeast Asia in 2013, unveiled the goals of building the Belt and Road to be policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.

The flashpoint erupted on February 27, 1947 in Taipei, when a dispute developed between an unlicensed cigarette vendor and a Tobacco and Alcohol Monopoly Bureau officer. Violence flared the following morning on February 28 and resulted in a suppression by the government.